Stock Up, Stock Down: Dodgers, Angels, Red Sox, Orioles

It was been an interesting week around the majors, to say the least. There were some impressive performances, some strange and odd decisions, and some movement on the waiver wire.

The calendar is officially on September 1 and the 2023 season is in the final stretch with teams either playing for something or teams playing out the string. With the season coming down the stretch, it’s time for the latest Stock Up, Stock Down for this season.

Stock Up: Mookie Betts makes his return to Boston with the Los Angeles Dodgers

In February 2020, the Boston Red Sox traded superstar outfielder Mookie Betts along with pitcher David Price for Alex Verdugo, Connor Wong, and prospect Jeter Downs. Verdugo is still with the Red Sox albeit likely his last season, Wong is an average catcher for Boston and Downs is currently with the Washington Nationals. Betts? He’s just humming along in L.A. and put on a show last weekend at Fenway Park.

The Dodgers won two out of three over the Red Sox and put a big dent in Boston’s postseason chances. Betts played a big hand by going 7-for-15 in the series with five runs scored, four RBI, a home run, and a standing ovation Friday night before his first at-bat in a 7-4 Los Angeles victory.

In Sunday’s 7-4 win, Betts capped off the weekend with a two-run shot in the sixth inning to give them some breathing room and a 5-2 lead. This trade might be a move that haunts the Red Sox for a long time and it haunted them last weekend and just about dashed their postseason chances.